The final OPEB-pension "underfunded status" list is out now. The large number of communities on the list representing all corners of the state further demonstrates how Michigan's system for funding municipalities is broken and needs fixing. Without meaningful municipal financial reform, more and more Michigan communities will continue to struggle. On May 17, the Michigan Department of Treasury released the highly anticipated list of communities that they have declared as being in "underfunded" status for either their pension or health insurance offerings. More than 100 local units now find themselves moving on to the "Corrective Action Plan" phase of the process. Read more.

This year's Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys/GLS Summer Conference will be held at Crystal Mountain.Get updates on emergent legal issues, hear from Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman, and more. For best rates, register and reserve hotel by June 1.

The City of Muskegon won this year's Strongest Town Contest! Learn how they earned that honor with enthusiastic citizen spirit, a wildly successful farmers market, a commitment to rebuilding downtown, and much more on this week'sLimelight podcast. Tune in now.

Under Michigan's term limits, legislators lack the experience and the institutional knowledge they used to have. The result: "In the decade from 2002 to 2012, Michigan was the only state that decreased its spending on municipal governments and the services they provide, making local governments the big losers under term limits." Read more.

America's opioid crisis has decimated communities and families, and become a financial crisis for local governments. Join us for The Opioid Crisis in Michigan Communities, an educational and networking event where you'll learn how local governments are battling the crisis. Fenton, June 12. More sessions in August.Read more.